Comfort or attractive appearance?

A bearskin is also a kind of military cap (from German “Bärenmütze” – a bear cap), in the shape of a cylinder or a cone, made or at least covered with bear fur. In most cases it was only imitation bear fur and came from ram. Bearskins were worn by armies of all countries at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries, mostly by grenadiers and mounted shooters. The caps had different shapes and could be flat or round with some of them having peaks or metal sheets with the emblem of the ruler. Some bearskins were equipped with putties or cone-shaped bags sewn to the top of the cap, hanging on the side and ending with a tassel. Bearskins are still worn by British guards of honour.